Animal trap



V 30, 1945. ST|LSO N 2,368581 ANIMAL TRAP Filed lay 8, 1944 INVENTOR.

F fierberz'czaz zm Patented Jan. 30, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT PF! CE assassr t I TRAP' Herbert A. Stilson, Chicago, Ill., assignorto Mc- Gill Metal Products Corporation, Marengo', 111., a corporation of Illinois I Application May 8 1944', Serial No; 534;,592

7 Claims.

The: present invention relates to animal traps,

and; more: particularly to: an: improved bait? treadle of wood construction for a mouse trap, This ap plication is a continuation in: part of co-pencling application Serial No; 67 ,580, filed December 2-, 1942;.

It is an object of this:- invention to provide an improved bait treadle for an animal trap It is another object of the invention to provide an improved bait treadle' for an" animal trap, which is: of substantially all wood construction, is of arugged and; simple form, and yetis sensitive and positive acting in its operation to release an associated latch to spring the trap.

Itis a still further object of" the invention to provide an improvedwooden bait treadle for a mouse trap, which is of one-piece construction and in which integral partsof' the treadle are utilized to support the treadle upon a transverse 1 supporting bar of the trap for pivotal movement relative to the bar in one direction and limited swinging movement relative to the bar in another direction.

In accordance with another object of the invention, an elongated wooden bait'treadle is provided; which an improved cross-sectional configuration such that a supporting opening may beformed in a particular portion" thereof to permit' the desired unrestricted four-way pivotalrelease movement of" the treadle; without permit ting substantial? longitudinal movement of the treadle.

Accordin to still another and more specific object of the invention, the cross sect'ion'al configuration of thetreadle and the configuration of the supporting opening through the treadle are such that the cross-sectional dimensions of the treadle may' be madesmall, and the supporting opening may be: easily formed with a numberof cutting: operations;

It: is=a still fur-therobject of the invention to Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view as seen along the lines 2-2 in Fig; 1

Figs. 4,. 5 6 are fragmentary views graphically illustrating the four-way pivotal latch release movement of the-bait treadle; and: Fig. 7 is' a; transverse sectional; view taken along the lines 1-1 in Fig.1. a l

In the illustrated embodiment of the'invention, the' present improved: bait tread-1e is; utilized amouse trap to cooperate with the usuali plyota-lly supported latchfor the purpose oi release ribportion of the T-shapedjtre'a dle is provided with a transverse opening withinwhich the spring coilsupporting bar extending transversely of the trap is received. This openinghas cross-section'- a1 dimensibns which are greater 'than the cross'- sectional dimensions of the transverse hair and are shaped and proportioned to' provide a re stricted central portion spreading 'o r flaring out in opposite directions intooppositely disposed bores; The entire openin'g'is such that the bo-res are each generally wider in a directionlon'g-i tudinally or the treadleatthe mouth orthe bore than at the central portion of th'e open ing' This configuration permits limited swmging movement of the treadle in an arcuate path relative tothe transverse-bar and in a: plane substanti'allyparallel to thelane occupied-by the-striker'bar'oriaw of the trap when the trap i set.

Referring now moreparticularly-tothe drawing, the present" improved bait tre'adle is: illustrat'e'd aS'bei'ng embodiedin a; mouse trap having a base [5; and" a'st'rilier bar" or jaw lt ivot'eo on a transverse supporting bar l'-'| carried the base. The striker bar 1 6 isia'dapted to actua ated from the ill'ii'strated set position thereof to its released position by means I ofa pair of: spring coils 18" which are mounted upo'fi'the tra'nsverse bar IT inspaced-apart" relationship therealong. A bait tre'adleindicate'd, generally at lll and characterized by the features of the present invention, is releasably erigageable withthe free end of a pivoted latcn 2 I to'rele'asa-h-ly hold the striker b r 61111 a setp'osit'i'on. 'I'he opposite end of the therethrough, within' which the central portion of the transverse bar I1 is received to provide a pivotal connection between the two identified parts I1 and I9. As best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the cross-sectional dimension of the opening 28 in a, direction vertically normal to the longitudinal axis of the treadle I9 is uniform throughout the length of the opening and is only slightly greater than the corresponding dimension," ie. the diameter, of the transverse bar ll. Likewise, at the longitudinalcenter of the opening 28, the crosssectional dimension of the opening in'a direction longitudinal of the treadle only slightly exceeds the diameter of the transverse bar. Thus, at the longitudinal center of the opening 28 the cross-sectional dimensions of, the opening are such as to prevent substantial movement of the treadle |9 bodily in a longitudinal direction. Such movement is undesirable since it tends to reduce the sensitivity of the latch release action. i

In order to permit swinging or arcuate movement of the treadle l9 relative to the bar I! in a plane parallel to the plane occupied by the striker bar I6 when the trap is set, the cross-sectional dimension of the opening 28 in a direction extending longitudinally of the treadle is increased in each direction away from the longitudinal center of the opening. In other words, the opening 28 is flared outwardly in each direction from the longitudinal center thereof only in the dimension which parallels the longitudinal axis of the treadle. As a result, swinging or arcuate movement of the treadle IS in a plane substantially parallel to the base l in either direction away from the illustrated set position thereof is permitted to the extent required to effect full release of the latching element 2| in the manner explained below. At the same time tipping of the treadle in either direction about the longitudinal axis of the bar I! is prevented becausethe vertical dimension of the opening is only slightly greater than the diameter of the bar. For in stance in one embodiment the bar l! is inch in diameter and the opening is inch in a, vertical direction. Preventing tipping of the treadle about'its longitudinal axis makes for easier setting of the trap.

It will be noted that since the width of thetreadle rib portion 23 is substantially less than the width of the upper transverse treadle part 22, thelongitudinal cross-sectional dimension of the opening 28 at each end thereof need be only slightly-greater than the corresponding dimensionof the opening at the longitudinal center thereof in order to permit the swinging movement'i-of the treadle which is required to effect fullrelease of the latching element 2|. Accordingly; this opening may be easily and simply formed by using small drills of like diameter to drill the treadle rib portion 23 transversely thereof along two lines which intersect at the center of this treadle part. Thus, the desired opening configuration may be obtained by two simple drilling operations easily capable of being performed in an automatic machine. the adjacent ends of the two spring coils l8 from interfering with the described swinging move- .ments of the treadle IS, the upper transverse portion 22 of the treadle is constructed to have pletely eliminated.

At its upper side, the treadle l9 carries a U-shaped catch member 24 which is adapted to cooperate with the free end of the latch element 2| to hold the striker bar I6 in a set position.

1 More in detail, the catch 24 is in the form of a staple constructed of round wire and has legs 26b and 260 which straddle the transverse bar I! and are driven into the treadle I9 from the upper surface thereof to be firmly anchored in the treadle. The transversely extending elevated part 26a of the catch member 24 is adapted to cooperate with the reversely bent end portion 2'! of the wire latching element 2| to hold the striker bar H5 in its set position. Due to the engagement between the indicated portions of the two elements 24 and 2| and due further to the fact that the transverse portion 26a of the catch 24 is disposed at a slight angle relative to the treadle 9, this treadle is, in the set position of the trap, held at a slight angle relative to the base I5, thus providing adequate space between the free end of the treadle and the upper surface of the base to insure positive release of the latch element 2| in the event the free end of the treadle is pushed downwardly toward the base by a rodent.

Adjacent the free end thereof, the treadle I9 is provided with a, bait receiving opening 29 which is'cut downwardly from the upper surface of the treadle through the transversely extending treadle part 22 and partially into the vertical rib part 23 of the treadle. This opening is of a diameter slightly greater than the thickness of the vertical rib part 23, such that its lower end is only 7 partially blocked by the uncut portion of the vertical rib 23. As a result, the opening 29 is open upon both sides of the vertical'rib portion 23 at the under side of the transverse treadle portion 22. With this arrangement, the bait may be inserted within the opening, 29 to be accessible to a rodent both from the top and under sides of the transverse treadle portion'22. Alternatively, the opening 29 may be used in conjunction with a string 29a. to anchor a piece of bait partially within this opening. To this end, the string 29a may be passed around the transverse treadle part 22 through the opening 29 at the under side of this treadle part and tied around the piece of bait, all in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

In the assembly of the bait treadle l9 with the other parts of the trap as shown in Figs. 1 and 2- 0f the drawing, the jaw o-r striker bar Hi, the spring coils l8, and the treadle l9 are all stacked together on the transverse bar H, which is then i staple connected to, the base l5. In setting the trap, the spring biased striker bar I6 is manually moved to its set position as shown'in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, and'is. retained in this position while the locking portion 21 of. the latch 2| is engaged with the catch member 24. Sincethe catch 24 is supported directly by its leg 26b and In order to prevent 280; theslatch lbcking portlomzlisrreely movable across the top-01"" the -treadle and between the logger the catch: With theklatchlocking portion: 27 between: the legs of the=catclr 24' the manual; pressure on the-striker bar Ifi isgradually released until thelatchlocking portion 21 ismoved by the jaw or striker: ban Hi into lockingengagement=withthe uppentransverse-part 26a: of? the catch.

As indicatedabove; the catch. 21: and" the latch; element-2| areeach: constructed at wire or like material. Because=of the round configurationof; the engaging portions of these two. members; a: substantial line contact; is: provided therebetween which: increases the sensitivity/of theacone motion for release responseto movement on the free end of the bait treadlev $9: in: any direction. Thus, if 'thefrwend of the baitctreadle ispivoted downwardly from. the-set position illustrated in- Fig.' 2 of the drawing: to, the; position illustrated in Eig; 6 offthe; drawing; therunder surface portion 266 of" the-, catchslll' co-actswith the engaging surface of the latch. portion 2:! to cam this-latch portion downwardlyfromxthezpor sition illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing: until thel'ocking engagement between the twozpartsx 24 and'izl is broken. Similarly, if: the-free end of the treadle is lifted: from its:set;position to the: 1 95i? tion: shown inl Elgar 5. of: the drawing: the. under:-

surface portion: 26d: co-acta witln the; engaging;

portion of the latch part 211 to: cam; the: two? parts 2-11 and 2E outxofiengagement. Alternatively, it the free endzof; theztrea'dle' i9; is pivoted-or; swung in a counterclockwise; direction; from its set: po-

sition'. toi the-positiom illustrated in Fig-"310i the;

drawing; the; leg; 25b; of; the; catch: engages the adjacentzportiomof; the-latch part 2:1 to move. the. two: parts. Z1 and, M out; of engagement. Finally,

if the treadle is swung; in; a: clockwise. direction fromits set-lpositiomto; the. position illustrated in Big: E of; the drawing; the Leg 260. engages: the

adjacent. segment of the: latch: part: 21: to. effect v disengagement of theztwospartsi I and 24-. Thus, it lwill -beseen; that: the: configurationiof the: open;- ing-28 through-the: vertical leg: ofithe treadle lS is such that release of; the, latch: 2J2 may; beefs-- fected by: movement; of: the 'freeend; of. the treadle IS in any one-oi a; plurality of directions away from the set position. thereof. In: this; regard it is-notedthat:the;frictionarengagementbetweenthe lower surface of this opening and the transverse-bar I11 positively: prevents sliding movement of the treadle l9 longitudinally along the transverse bar I'I when a force is applied in any direction to the free end of the treadle. Moreover, the relatively snug fit between the transverse bar and the longitudinal center of the opening 28 positively precludes bodily movement of the treadle l9 to any substantial extent in a direction longitudinally thereof.

In other words, the shape of the opening 28 in the rib 23 is such that the treadle i9 is free to pivot or swing on the bar 11 but will not tip transversely thereof thus assuring good latching. However, with the opening 28 flaring out as described from a restricted central portion, the treadle is restricted against movement in a direction longitudinally thereof, but operates with a sensitive oamming action between the latch part 21 and the member 24 when the treadle i moved to either side in an arc, or up or down in a pivotal movement.

Along with the operating and assembly advantages of the bait treadle H! as described above, the construction of this treadle lends itself to economical?- manufacture of the treadle quantity lots: Thus, in the manufacture of the treadle-s, a singl'esl'ength of wood material'- of sub-- stantiall'y rectangular cross secti'onisoperated upon to provide the T shaped configuration, the metal catch members 24 are driven thereintoalong one side thereot in longitudinally spaced, relationship, the bait receiving: openings 29 are drilled along the strip; in longitudinally spaced; relation; corresponding. to the spaced: relation be tween the metal' catchmembers 24g and thezopenlugs 28 are drilledlin: the vertical; leg 23-? in the; manner explained above; Qt course. the; continuous strip is cut-u into; lengths to form the individuallbaittreadleslfi.

' From the-abo le explanation itwillibeapparent that: the present improved. bait: treadlecisoffsitmplea and; economical; construction;. is eficientv and; highltysensitiye-in.operationaand well adaptedfor manufacture:- in; quantity lots: with a. minimum nunrlzua'n oi operations; and at" low cost; While only; one: embodiment. Qfl the; inventiom has. been: disclosed it will be understood thatzvarious modb' ficamions may be; made therein; which are within thestruea spiritand scope? of: the-invention as deban throughout, at least; a, portion: oil its; length,

and; the; upper: transverse portion 01,- the; T havingzits: edges spacedzfrom the; adjacent portions of: Saide'CDih. whereby said treadle.: is: adapted" to swing through; a substantiall are: inaplane: substantiallypa-rallel to the' plane of said striker; ban.

2; In; a, mouse? trap; having: as striker bar and a1 transyersezbar: adapted: to; support the coiledactuatihgr spring, for: said; striker; bar, am elongated: one-piece wood: treadle: of. T shapedr cross sectiom throughout its length; andhaving a bait, recei ring opening; adjacent; one endr thereof whichlextends f rom the top; suria'cez 0t theztreadle tially closed at the lower end thereof by said vertical portion of the treadle, said vertical portion of the treadle also having a transverse opening therethrough adjacent the other end of the treadle within which said transverse bar is received, said last mentioned opening havinga cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the cross-sectional dimension of said transverse bar throughout at least a portion of its length, and said upper transverse portion of said treadle having its edges spaced from the adjacent portions of said coil, whereby said treadle is adapted to swing through a substantial arc in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said striker bar.

3. In an animal trap having a striker bar spring biased to move from a set position to a released position, a latch and a transverse supporting bar; an elongated one piece wood treadle of T-shaped cross section cooperable with said latch to hold said striker bar in a set position,

saidtreadle having a transverse opening through the vertical portion thereof within which said transverse bar is received to support said treadle I for pivotal movement in a plane substantially normal to the plane of said striker bar when said striker bar occupies either of said positions, and said opening having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of said transverse bar, whereby said treadle is also adapted for arcuate swinging movement through a substantial arc in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said striker bar.

4. In a mouse trap having a striker bar spring biased to move from a set position to a released position, a latch and a transverse supporting bar; anelongated one piece wood treadle of T'- shaped cross-section cooperable with said latch to hold said striker bar in a set position, said treadle having a transverse opening through the vertical portion thereof within which said transverse bar is received to support said treadle for pivotal movement in a plane substantially normal to the plane of said striker bar when said striker bar occupies either of saidpositions, and

said opening having a cross-sectional dimension in a direction longitudinally of said treadle which is slightly greater at the, longitudinal center of said opening than the corresponding dimension of said transverse bar in the same direction and increases in both directions away from said longitudinal center of said opening, whereby said treadle is also adapted to swing through a substantial arc in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said striker bar when in the set position and yet is limited against extended movement longitudinally thereof.

5. In a mouse trap having a striker bar spring biased to move from a set position to a released position, a latch and a transverse supporting bar; an elongated one piece wood treadle of T- shaped cross-section cooperable with said latch allel to the plane of said striker bar when in the set position and yet is limited against extended movement longitudinally thereof.

g 6. In a mouse trap having a latch, an elon-.

gated one-piece wood treadle of T-shaped cross section cooperable with said latch to set the trap,

I said treadle having a bait receiving opening adjacentv one end thereof which extendsfrom the top surface of the treadle through the upper transverse portion of the treadle and has a cross sectional dimension greater than the width'of the lower verti'cal' portion of the treadle, whereby said opening is only partially closed at the lower end thereof by said vertical portion, of the treadle. 1

'7. In an animal trap which includes a striker bar, a transverse supporting bar and a' latch; a bait treadle cooperable with said latch to retain said striker bar in set position and comprising a wooden member of T-shaped cross-section having a top longitudinal portionv and a rib extending longitudinally of the treadle below the top portion, said rib having a transverse opening therein to receive the supporting bar, thereby to support the treadle, said opening having a restricted central portion of only slightly greater diameter than said bar and a bore flaring outwardly in each of the. two opposite axial directions from said central portion, each of said bores having a vertical'dimension only slightly greater than said diameter and being progressively greater in radial dimension in a, direction longitudinally of said treadle, whereby the wall defining said opening acts to prevent undesired tipping of said treadle about its longitudinal axis and to prevent longitudinal movement of said treadle while permitting arcuate swinging movement thereof to each side and pivotal up and down movement on said supporting bar, and means on said treadle for engaging said latch.

HERBERT A. S'IILSON. 

